Colby College vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Colby College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,412 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Colby College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colby College 9:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Colby College vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College or Columbia? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colby College than Columbia ($16,219 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 1.7% lower than at Colby College ($17,580 vs. $17,890).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colby College (about $2,245 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at Columbia than at Colby College (about $2,245 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $69,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia University in the City of New York than at Colby College (52% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students ($69,201 vs. $67,010).

Colby College vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College or Columbia? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia and Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 40 points higher than at Colby College (1510).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colby College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 1460/1550; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Colby College (3.86).
• Colby College has a higher acceptance rate (7.1%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Colby College vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College and Columbia? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Colby College's (91%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $34,200 more per year than Colby College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $73,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colby College graduates have a $2,155 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($19,345 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Colby College graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($200 vs. $222).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.